29 Aug 2006
HAFIDAH SAMAT, SHUIB TAIB, SHARIFAH ARFAH and SURYANI DALIP
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Billed the wedding of the year, Datuk Khalid and Siti Nurhaliza?s reception last night saw a traditional Malay ceremony in a modern setting. HAFIDAH SAMAT, SHUIB TAIB, SHARIFAH ARFAH and SURYANI DALIP celebrate with the newly-weds.
IT was a wedding ceremony that would be hard to rival.
Pop sensation Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin and businessman Datuk Khalid Mohamad Jiwa?s wedding reception held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre last night was indeed the wedding of the year.
The garden-themed lavish reception was a grand affair that combined age-old Malay customs with contemporary trends. Top that with a sumptuous Malay feast and a glamorous list of well-heeled guests, the entire setting last night seemed tailored for a princess-like nuptial bliss.
Dressed to the nines, guests were welcomed by the captivating sound of gamelan music by the Swara group at the foyer of the premises.
Many were also seen scrutinising the wedding paraphernalia on display at the foyer ? the dais and baju kurung that were used by Siti at the Federal Territory Mosque during her akad nikah (solemnisation of marriage) and engagement ceremonies on Aug 21. At this point, nothing could go wrong.
The ceremony began at 8.50pm with emcees Ishak Nengah and Zakiah Anas announcing the arrival of dignitaries and VVIPs.
It was the moment all had been waiting for when the radiant couple walked into the ballroom at 9pm for the bersanding ceremony.
All eyes were on the dashing groom and his charming bride, both dressed in matching traditional Malay attire ? in white and encrusted with diamonds and Swarovski crystals ? designed by Radzuan Radziwill.
There was pin-drop silence as the couple walked up the magnificent white dais, named Mahligai Asmara, accompanied by their bridesmaids ? girls aged between five and 20 ? dressed in white.
At 9.30pm, the Sultan of Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah led the merenjis air mawar (sprinkling of scented water) ceremony to bless the couple.
He was followed by the Sultan of Terengganu Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, other dignitaries and family members.
Later, Siti invited her parents Tarudin Ismail and Siti Salmah Bachik for a pulut kuning cutting ceremony to commemorate their 38th wedding anniversary.
“I am so relieved that everything has proceeded smoothly,” said her mother.
The highlight of the evening came when Siti and Khalid cut the nine-tiered RM12,000 wedding cake. Bedecked in an off-white and pink Christian Lacroix lace Swarovski-studded gown designed by Michael Ong, the bride was a picture of radiance.
But the one that stole the thunder was when Siti surprised her guests with a rendition of a song titled Cahaya Cinta, which she dedicated to her husband.
Earlier at 5.30pm, Siti was in tears when she appeared on the balcony of the convention centre during a 10-minute session to meet her fans.
“I am so disappointed because I could not meet everyone personally. It overwhelmed me to see them coming in full force today. I welcome all my fans to attend the reception in Kuala Lipis on Sept 3.”
The session was held in place of a chariot ride around the centre, which had to be cancelled due to security reasons.
Meanwhile, Khalid?s third son Mohd Asyraf, who was present at the reception, was in high spirits.
“I am very happy for them and wish them all the happiness in the world.”
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In ringgit and sen
IT is a burning question that beckons a figure ? how much did THE wedding really cost?
The prestigious venue, the glittering jewellery, the glamorous attire, the hantaran, the tiaras ? were among the items observers have been curious about since pop princess Siti Nurhaliza announced her wedding to businessman Datuk Khalid Mohamad Jiwa, in the middle of last month.
While those involved in the wedding choose to keep mum about the tags, listed below are figures, obtained from reliable sources. So, you do the math!
The cost:
- TV3 rights: RM1 million to go to charity
- Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre reception: In the range of RM550,000 including dinner at RM150 per person and decorative items for the hall amounting to RM200,000
- Wedding dowry: RM22,222
- The hantaran (gifts from bride to groom and vice versa): RM30,000
- Radzuan Radziwill?s traditional attire fused with contemporary designs for the akad nikah ceremony: RM25,000.
- The diamond-studded tiara, sponsored by Elegance Club Sdn Bhd, which Siti Nurhaliza wore at the akad nikah and engagement ceremonies: RM1.8 million
- The diamond-encrusted tiara Siti wore at the KLCC wedding reception ? RM2 million
- For the bersanding ceremony, both Siti Nurhaliza and Datuk Khalid donned a full songket courtesy of Wan Manang Terengganu: RM35,000
- Siti Nurhaliza?s shoes by Lewre (adorned with Swarovski crystals): RM2,500
- Pink sapphire ruby tiara Siti wore during cake-cutting ceremony to match with Michael Ong?s outfit: RM1 million to RM1.5 million
- The tiara for Siti Nurhaliza?s Jakarta reception (hosted by Trans TV and PT Natrindo Telepon Selular: RM2 million
- Michael Ong?s off-white and pink gown, made of Christian Lacroix lace with Swarovski-crystals, worn during the cake-cutting ceremony: RM35,000
- Khoon Hooi?s pearl-encrusted dress, which Siti wore at the meet-the-fans session at Suria KLCC: RM300,000
- The tiara for the reception in Kuala Lipis “do”: RM1.5 million
- Radzuan Radziwill has also prepared a standby attire for Siti Nurhaliza?s Kuala Lipis “do”. The dress?: RM20,000
